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The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music by Victor Wooten

Summary

“The story of a struggling young musician who wanted music to be his life, and who wanted his life to be great. Then, from nowhere it seemed, a teacher arrived. Part musical genius, part philosopher, part eccentric wise man, the teacher would guide the young musician on a spiritual journey, and teach him that the gifts we get from music mirror those from life, and every movement, phrase, and chord has its own meaning…All you have to do is find the song inside.”

Key Takeaways

The most surefire way towards personal growth is to share with others

Don’t worry so much about what is true or right. Worry about what you’ve learned, what you’ve gotten out of it

Just like you can tune your mind to find a certain color, you can tune your mind to recognize and spot other patterns

10 key elements of music

Notes

Articulation

Technique

Feel

Dynamics

Rhythm

Tone

Phrasing – all sounds and physical movements cause physical vibrations which alter our space and people’s reaction to us

Space – rest or silence is as important as the notes. You cannot have music without space

Listening – only through the power of listening can you truly know anything

All the music ever played is still “out there”, as is all knowledge. All you have to do is tap into it. You must know that you already know everything and just need to tap into it

Intention is everything. Intention + emotion can accomplish anything

The most powerful musicians, the most powerful people overall, are those that can let people freely express themselves

The only time you fail is when you change your mind

Music, like all things, is vibration.

All experiences are ordinary. It is up to you add that extra. You miss much by not being present

Anyone can play music but it is the only the master that can allow music to play them

What is more dangerous to a person: success or failure?

Music is related to everything – especially nature and language – but in order to play it naturally we have to become part of it

What I got out of it

Out there but a fun description of the spiritual path towards mastery – in this case, music, but relevant to any pursuit at a high level